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Behavioural Treatment of Compulsive Polydipsia: Two Case Studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Brian Oldenburg
Brian Oldenburg*
Affiliation:
The Prince Henry Hospital, University of New South Wales
*
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, The Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay N.S.W. 2036
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Abstract

Two case studies are described where behavioural strategies, including response prevention and controlled drinking, were used to successfully treat chronic compulsive polydipsia where traditional medical management had failed. The improvement during treatment and at the 3-month follow-up was reflected not only in reduced fluid intake but also in the reduction of associated thirst symptoms and psychological distress. The implications of these results for treatment of polydipsia and non-compliance with fluid restrictions, particularly among dialysis patients, are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , December 1987 , pp. 23 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1987

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References

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